Emerging Science
Classroom Connections
Developed by Elizabeth Mirra, Springfield High School, Springfield, Vermont
Content/Topic: Acupuncture: A Connective Tale
Framework for K-12 Science Education Concepts:
LS1.D—From Molecules to Organisms: Structures and Processes
• Systems of specialized cells within organisms help them perform the essential
functions of life, which involve chemical reactions that take place between different
types of molecules, such as water, proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, and nucleic acids.
• Multicellular organisms have a hierarchical structural organization, in which any one
system is made up of numerous parts and is itself a component of the next level.
Essential Questions:
• How do the structures of cells and tissues enable them to carry out their necessary
functions?
• How effective are alternative treatment methods compared to traditional medicine?
Use evidence from articles and the video to support your response.
Engaging Activities: Group Discussion
1. Why do we say cells are the building blocks of life?
2. What life functions do both single cells and multicellular organisms have in common?
Classroom Activities and Suggested Connections to Video
1. Before viewing the video have students read all or part of the following article
“Relationship of Acupuncture Points and Meridians to Connective Tissue Planes”
(December 15, 2002 issue of The Anatomical Record).
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ar.10185/full
a. The abstract of the article is developed into a Common Core State Standards close
reading activity in the attached document.
b. For the full article (which is available through subscription), teachers may want to
jigsaw the reading so that each student group could focus on summarizing one section
and then present the information to the rest of the class.
2. Students could use microscopes to observe prepared slides representing several
examples of each of the four types of tissues (e.g. cartilage, blood, nerve, muscle, skin,
etc.). Students should sketch each tissue sample and then describe the similar
characteristics of each of the four tissue types (connective, nerve, muscle, epithelial).
If prepared slides are not available, students can observe tissue samples online.
3. Questions for discussion after viewing the video:
a. What is the history of acupuncture? How do acupuncturists describe how
acupuncture works?
b. What is connective tissue? Where is connective tissue found in the human body?
c. What role is connective tissue thought to play in acupuncture?
d. What technologies are being used and developed to help explain how acupuncture
works?
e. What are we learning about the relationship between connective tissue and pain?
f. What types of therapies, other than acupuncture, are now thought to involve
connective tissue?
4. Students could research how various tissue types work together in an organ of the
body to allow the body to maintain homeostasis. Students can present their
information as scientific writing or as an oral presentation.
Extension Activities/Resources
NSTA Learning Center: Cell Division and Differentiation: Multicellular Organization
This Science Object investigates the hierarchy and various structures of the groups of
specialized and unspecialized cells in multicellular organisms.
http://learningcenter.nsta.org/product_detail.aspx?id=10.2505/7/SCB-CDD.3.1
Dartmouth Medical School-Virtual Histology
A variety of high quality images of various tissues types. Could be used for a virtual lab.
http://www.dartmouth.edu/~anatomy/Histo/
1470 L
Model for Explicit Instruction of Complex Text
Title: Relationship of Acupuncture Points and Meridians to Connective Tissue Planes
ABSTRACT
Langevin, Helene M. and Yandow, Jason A. 2002. V.269:257–265,
Type of text: Informational
Grade Level: 9-12
Learning Objectives: To describe results of current research on acupuncture a new hypothesis.
CC Standards: Reading (RSTS. 9-10. 1, 2, 7, 9, &10); Writing (WSTS. 9-10. 1, 2, 4, 6-9); Speaking & Listening (SL.9-10. 1, 2, & 4);
Language ( L.9-10 .1, 4 & 6); Science (LS1.D—From Molecules to Organisms: Structures and Processes)
Instructional Plan
1. Provide background information, when necessary, to give students a context in which to understand the text.
2. Read the text out loud as students follow along.
3. Students reread the text independently.
4. Guide discussion of the text with a series of specific text-dependent questions and tasks.
5. Give students a choice of constructed response writing prompts to assess their understanding of the text. Providing
additional application or inquiry questions for students can guide critical thinking about the content.
.
- adapted from Student Achievement Partners. Used with permission.
Relationship of Acupuncture Points and Meridians to Connective Tissue Planes
Helene M. Langevin and Jason A. Yandow The Anatomical Record 4 DEC 2002. V.269:257–265,
Acupuncture meridians traditionally are believed to constitute channels connecting the surface
of the body to internal organs. We hypothesize that the network of acupuncture points and
meridians can be viewed as a representation of the network formed by interstitial connective
tissue. This hypothesis is supported by ultrasound images showing connective tissue cleavage
planes at acupuncture points in normal human subjects. To test this hypothesis, we mapped
acupuncture points in serial gross anatomical sections through the human arm. We found an 80%
correspondence between the sites of acupuncture points and the location of intermuscular or
intramuscular connective tissue planes in postmortem tissue sections. We propose that the anatomical
relationship of acupuncture points and meridians to connective tissue planes is relevant to acupuncture's
mechanism of action and suggests a potentially important integrative role for interstitial connective tissue.
- adapted from Student Achievement Partners. Used with permission.
Text “Chunked”
Vocabulary
Acupuncture meridians traditionally are believed to
constitute channels connecting the surface of the
body to internal organs.
meridians
We hypothesize that the network of acupuncture
points and meridians can be viewed as a
representation of the network formed by interstitial
connective tissue. This hypothesis is supported by
ultrasound images showing connective tissue
cleavage planes at acupuncture points in normal
human subjects
interstitial
Text-based Questions/Expected Responses
What do the authors consider to be the role of
acupuncture meridians?
constitute
How are the interstitial connective tissues
related to acupuncture points and medians?
ultrasound
cleavage planes
What evidence do researchers have as a basis for
this hypothesis?
serial
To test this hypothesis, we mapped acupuncture
points in serial gross anatomical sections through
the human arm. We found an 80% correspondence
between the sites of acupuncture points and the
location of intermuscular or intramuscular
connective tissue planes in postmortem tissue
sections
gross
What procedure did the researchers follow?
intermuscular
intramuscular
Why is this 80% correspondence
significant/important?
planes
postmortem
We propose that the anatomical relationship of
acupuncture points and meridians to connective
tissue planes is relevant to acupuncture's
mechanism of action and suggests a potentially
important integrative role for interstitial connective
tissue
relevant
integrative
- adapted from Student Achievement Partners. Used with permission.
How have the researchers interpreted the
results of their research?
Writing Activities
Writing Prompts to Assess Student Understanding of Text:
What is the relationship between acupuncture meridians and connective tissue?
Application or Inquiry Question to Guide Critical Thinking:
What are other theories about how acupuncture effects the human body?
- adapted from Student Achievement Partners. Used with permission.